Citroën not only tightens the look of the C5 Aircross inside and outside and donates new equipment details. There are also changes to the hybrid variants.
Citroën has been contributing the C5 Aircross to the SUV segment since 2018. A facelift for the French was already due in spring 2022. It was primarily a facelift in the literal sense, because the Stellantis group brand streamlined the face of the C5 Aircross in particular. From a purely technical point of view, the EMP2 platform remained, on which the Opel Grandland and DS7 Crossback are also based, for example.
On the newly designed front, the brand logo is now emblazoned as a black double chevron in the chrome frame, which Citroën integrates into the radiator grille instead of being positioned separately above it as before. Under the headlights with V-shaped daytime running lights sit vertical air vents, which are now actually functional and adorn the face no more than pure deception.
C5 Aircross does without decorative elements
A narrow slit remains above the license plate, the ventilation opening is visually larger underneath. Mainly because Citroën dispensed with the round, contrasting decorative elements. The manufacturer has given the lights a contemporary 3D look with darkened glass and new lighting graphics at the front and rear. In addition to the contouring of the bonnet and the side view, what remains the same is the design of the rear.
Citroën also offers customers new ways of influencing the appearance of the C5 Aircross themselves. The 18-inch "Pulsar" rims are available in black or silver; the roof rails can now also be ordered in a matt finish. The dark Eclipse Blue is the only new paint finish that complements the hitherto rather achromatic palette of black and two gray and two white tones. The mirror housings are standard in glossy black from the facelift.
Grown touchscreen
In the cockpit design, the interventions are more visible again, although the steering wheel and instrument display remain the same. A new ten-inch (up from eight-inch) touchscreen sits prominently on the dashboard, pushing the center air vents down rather than being further framed by them. The clear horizontal lines differ significantly from the knobbly and slightly playful-looking pre-facelift model . This is matched by the tidy center console, which no longer houses a large gear selector but has a discreet switch ready for it. Citroën donated a new storage compartment and a second USB port. ,
From the C4 and C5 X, the prettied Aircross adopts the latest generation Advanced Comfort seats, which have a high-density foam core and an additional foam layer 15 millimeters thick.In addition to heating, the chairs (front) also have a massage function. Depending on the equipment level, Citroën covers the seats with soft-touch Alcantara or perforated leather. The armrests, dashboard and center console, on the other hand, are wrapped in a leather effect fabric. In the rear, the French install three individually foldable, sliding and retractable seats.
New plug-in hybrid on offer
The facelift affected the drives with a slight delay. With the combustion engine range, which consists of the Puretech 130 petrol engine and the Blue HDi 130 diesel, everything remains the same. On the other hand, there are innovations in the plug-in hybrids. The top model C5 Aircross 225 e-EAT8 gets a new battery with an increased capacity from 13.2 to 14.2 kilowatt hours (12.9 net usable). Responsible for this is an improved chemistry in the still 96 battery cells, which increases the purely electric range according to WLTP from 55 to 64 kilometers.
The Citroën C5 Aircross 180 e-EAT8 is moving into the model range as a completely new drive variant. Like its more powerful counterpart, a 1.6 liter four-cylinder turbo petrol engine plays the combustion part; however, it only delivers 150 hp instead of 180 hp. As with the 225, the electric motor has an output of 81 kW (110 hp); however, the maximum power of the entire system is throttled to 180 hp and a maximum of 360 Newton meters. The battery capacity is also lower: 84 cells come from 12.4 kilowatt hours gross or 11.3 kilowatt hours net and enable an electric range of 58 kilometers. In E mode, speeds of up to 135 km/h are possible.
Higher prices since October
The facelift model has been available since June 2022. Prices currently start at 32,670 euros for the 131 hp petrol engine with a six-speed manual gearbox. The corresponding automatic version is available from 36,370 euros. The equally strong and only available with automatic transmission diesel costs at least 38,000 euros. For the new 180 hp plug-in hybrid, 41,970 euros and more are due. This leaves a small respectful distance to the 225 version, which is available from 43,470 euros.
Conclusion
The Citroën C5 Aircross is growing up. The streamlined look is good for the compact SUV, as is a new touchscreen. It is commendable that the French remain true to their line and continue to cultivate comfort as a core competence of aircross. The same applies to the integration of the entry-level PHEV into the model portfolio.
